[CH399+ Continued] Dungeon Diver: Stealing A Monster's Power

Chapter 466

"347 showed up, almost all of them, not bad..." I whisper under my breath.

The chattering noises of villagers fill the streets. People are beginning to get antsy, and they're all clumping up on ⅓ of the square in particular, closest to where I stand.

I step off the roof and slowly float down toward them, then stop about 5 meters off the ground.

Everyone stops talking, and their eyes stay fixated on the illusion of rippling black flames that give off no heat.

I activate my [Screech] skill, and use its special perk to project my voice throughout the entire town square, but keep the tone even and calm.

"Welcome all, I'm glad you came to hear what I have to say."

All of the lingering chatters cease once my voice echoes through everyone's ears.

"First of all, you may call me The Flame Emperor. I will be taking over Sector 2 as its new leader, and my reign begins here."

Again, no one speaks in the crowd, but some of the neutral faces from before turn to worry and fearful looks.

To combat this, I continue.

"Fear not, I won't subject you all to mindless labor like your captors that I've disposed of. I am merely here to give you all a choice, and another shot at a fruitful and successful life."

The gazes calm down and people begin to think about my words.

"I want to make a fair and peaceful settlement here. One where this guild hall behind us may give work to hunters that farm in the dungeons, and one where merchants and businessmen can trade those hunters' goods. I wish to see restaurants, community, and entertainment thrive. I want the people here to enjoy a life they thought was gone forever."

Some of the dull gazes in the crowd begin to see a glimmer of hope in their eyes, while some more cynical thinkers try to determine what the catch in all of this must be.

"I am powerful and wealthy enough to support and protect many, or even all of you if you wish to stay in my growing settlement. Safe shelter, weekly food, water, and basic need supplies will be provided free of cost during our first few months of buildup. I will personally interview each and every one of you to find a suitable job and place where you fit in to help this town grow."

Then, a scruffy man with a mean gaze yells out from the crowd in a sour tone.

"What's in it for you? How do we know we're not being saved from one slave labor camp and taken into another? All of that sounds too good to be true!"

A few crowd members begin to murmur and agree with him, while others complain that he's trying to ruin the only good chance they have.

I think about raising this man up into the sky and burning him alive to prove a point, but the only point I'd be proving is his own, not mine. A little fear-induced loyalty is a good thing to possess as a leader, but too much may become a very negative trait quickly.

So, instead, I just burst into a bigger illusion of flames and let under 0.5% of my intimidation perk's intensity bleed out of my Qi barrier.

It instantly suppresses the crowd's chatter, and they listen closely again.

"You're right. This does seem like an offer that benefits only one side. I see where you're coming from and hear your concerns."

No one moves a muscle, and I let my Qi barrier cover my body again so the intimidation aura stops leaking out.

"You all have 2 options. You may swear your loyalty to me, The Flame Emperor, as your leader and stay here under my protection and guidance for as long as you please. Or, you may leave unharmed and with enough food, water, and money to survive a month on your own. I will make arrangements to drop you off in Solara if this is the path you wish to take."

I leave the crowd in silence again, and murmurs, chatter, and conversation fill the air.

I float down toward the crowd, and people move away, making a wide-open circle on the stone for me to land.

Soon after, Abby floats down behind me, and I turn around to walk inside the guild hall.

As the door opens and I walk through, I leave the crowd with a final remark.

"Once you've made up your mind, come inside the hall and meet with me one-on-one. Whatever your decision is, make sure it is final. If you attempt to deceive me, I will know, and you will face a punishment worse than death."

The guild hall door shuts behind me, and I'm left in the empty octagonal room with Abby as the volume of chatter outside grows and grows. However, no one approaches the doors; they're all hesitant to come inside.

Both Abby and I walk into the middle work space, and I begin pulling large portions of non-perishable food out from my item storage along with piles of silver and bronze coins that show the fire and dragon emblem on their sides.

Before I can even finish sorting them, a familiar face bursts through the door.

She points right at me with a single finger, and her light blue eyes show the same determination that they did at the moment she was resisting the Elixir of Suggestion from the deceased grunt named Finn.

She yells out in a tone I can't tell apart from anger or excitement.

"It's you! It's really you! You're the same guy from yesterday, I'm sure of it! Your flaming disguise can't fool me!"

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Author's Note:

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